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Americans across the country have new health insurance that starts today!

Americans across the country have new health insurance that
starts today, thanks to the Affordable Care Act.

Today, health reform is real in a new way for people like
Daniel, a 22-year-old student who enrolled in a gold-level insurance plan and
is paying just $70 a month after subsidies. It's real for Lucy, from Texas,
whose deductible is dropping from $7,500 to $3,000 a year,and for Mark, a
small business owner who says that keeping his health care costs down will help
his consulting business thrive.

Today, these people are covered.

That means welcome packets and insurance cards in the mail. That
means new appointments for check-ups are on the books. And it means the peace
of mind, security, and dignity that comes with taking your health care into
your own hands.

Making sure more Americans like Daniel, Lucy, and Mark can know
that feeling in the weeks to come will take all of us speaking out.

With the passage of the Affordable Care Act, millions of young
adults have been able to stay covered under their parents' plans. Tens of
millions of Americans have gained access to free preventive services. More than
a hundred million Americans no longer have lifetime limits on their coverage.

We've still got a lot more work to do. But after all the
politics and rhetoric, we know the real bottom line:

Today, for the first time, many Americans for whom insurance
wasn't previously a possibility can say that they are covered. And many folks
who had insurance previously just saw their coverage improve: As of today,
insurers can no longer cut off benefits when an individual reaches an annual
cap. Insurers can no longer charge you more just because of a pre-existing
condition or because you are a woman. And health plans sold to individuals or
small businesses must offer comprehensive benefits, including things like
mental health services and maternity care that plans used to sometimes exclude.

That's what the President has been fighting for, and why this
law is so important.